Chain ladder



, April 20, 1 943. H. P. HoPP ErAL CHAIN LADDER Filed June 26, 1942 FIG. '3.

Nl 7'NESS" ATTOR/VYS Patented Apr. 20, 1943 CHAIN LADDER Harold P. Hopp, Englewood, N. J., and Edward Kunzelman, Mount Vernon, N. Y., assgnors to H. K. Metal Craft Manufacturing Co., New

York, N. Y.

Application June 26, 1942, Serial No. 448,550

(Cl. 22S- 40) 6 Claims.

This invention relates to ladders and more particularly it relates to exible ladders of the type used aboard ships.

It is one object of the invention to provide a novel construction whereby a ladder of the aforementioned type may be constructed entirely of metal without unduly increasing the weight over such ladders as generally constructed from rope and wood.

It is another object of the invention to provide a ladder which is possessed of a high degree of flexibility. Since such ladders are generally stowed in rolled form ready for use, this flexibility is a highly desirable feature, since it permits of rolling the ladder into a relatively smaller space than is possible with ladders constructed of rope and wood. A highdegree of flexibility also permits of free and ready unrolling of the ladder when it is thrown over the side from its stowed position to its position for actual use.

It is still another object of the invention to i provide a ladder in which damaged parts may be readily repaired or replaced when necessary.

A still further object of the invention resides in a structure in which, although comparatively light materials are employed, the ladder is possessed of suicient strength to meet all conditions to which it may be subjected in normal use.

Flexible ladders of the general type above mentioned are usually of two types, namely, those used over the side of a ship, which type has ears at the ends of the rungs or steps and, that type for use in open hatches between decks and similar locations, which latter type has no spacing ears.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide a novel construction which is equally adaptable to ladders either with or without spacing ears.

With the foregoing objects in view, reference will now be had to the accompanying drawing, in which the invention is illustrated in connection with a ladder of the type which employs spacing ears and also with a ladder in which no spacing ears are employed.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a View in elevation partly broken away of a ladder of the type having no spacing ears, constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a detail end elevation of one of the steps or rungs of the ladder,

Figure 3 is a detail horizontal sectional view on an enlarged scale taken substantially onv the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 illustrating the invention as applied to a ladder of the type employing spacing ears.

Referring specifically to the drawing, the ladder consists of side members or stiles It, to which are connected steps or rungs I I vwhich are rigidly attached to the stiles II'I in spaced relation to one another.

The stiles I0 are formed from continuous chai the links of which, in the present embodiment of the invention, are illustrated as of elongated loop form having two parallel side portions I2.

The rungs II are formed from sheet metal and are preferably of inverted channel cross-sectional form having a tread, portion I3 and depending side anges I4. i

The side flanges I4 serve to strengthen-the rungs and additional strength may be provided by forming upstanding beads or ribs I5 which extend along the side edges of the tread portions of the rungs. l

Each rung II has its ends rigidly secured to their respective stiles I0 by lmeans `which is received within the ends of the rungs which means, when in position, also serves to close the ends of the rungs.

This attaching means comprises, in each case, two U-shaped clips I6 and Il, each of which is preferably formed of sheet metal. The U-shaped clip I6 is of such a size that it may be passed into the open end of the rung I I with the outer faces of its leg portions having engagement with the inner faces of the side anges I4 of the rung. The U-shaped clip Il is of a size to nest snugly Within the clip I6 as illustrated in the drawing.

In securing the clips to the stiles, the two parallel portions I2 of one of the links is clamped between the two base portions I8 of the nested clips I6 and II by means of a rivet or the like, I9.

One of the clips, preferably the inner clip Il, is formed in its base portion I3 with two channels Z properly spaced to receive the parallel side portions i2 of the link to which the clips are attached and the inner head 2l of the rivet I9 occupies a position between these channels 2li.

The clips I5 and Il are secured to the rung by means of rivets or the like, 22, which pass through the legs of the clips IS and II and the depending side flanges I4 of the rung.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the structure is one possessed of great strength since the clips serve to provide rigidity at the ends of the rungs and also serve as a closure means for the ends thereof. Strength between the ends of the rungs is provided by the ribs In said iigure, the spacing ears are designated Y 30. They are formed of metal having a straight portion 3| and two angular legs 32 which termi.

nate in angular extensions 33 which engagetheouter faces of their respective side flanges I4- of the rung Il. The straight portion 3| of the ear may be secured to the clips by the rivet- I9 while each of the angular` extensions 33, may

be secured to their respective side flanges of the rung by one of the rivets 22.

Having thus described the invention, what it is desired to cover by Letters Patent is:

1. In a chain ladder in combination, a rung or step of inverted channel form and lStiles in the form of link chains, and means for securing each end ci' the rung or step toits respective stile, said securing means comprising a pair of nested U-shaped clips for clamping one ofv the links of the stile, means for securingtheclips in their link clamping position, and means for securing the clips to the side walls or the Vrung or step.

2.In a chain ladder in combination,` a rung or step having a tread portion and side flanges depending therefrom and stiles in the formof link chains, and means for securing each end of the rung or stepV to its respective stile, said lmeans comprising a pair of nested UA-shaped clips, means for securing the clips vtothe stile, and means for securing the clips to the depending flanges of the rung or step.

3. In a chain ladder in combination, a rung or step of inverted channel form and stiles ln the form of link chains, and means for securing each end of the rung or step to its respective stile, said means comprising a pair of nested U-shaped metal clips, means for securing the clips to the stile with a link of the stile clamped between the base portions of the clips to the side Walls of the rung or step with the base portions of the clips closing the end of the rung or step.

4. In a chain ladder in combination, a rung crwstep of inverted channel form and stiles in the-formof link chains, and means for securing each .end of the-lung or step to its respective stile, said means comprising a pair of nested U-shaped metal clips, means for securing the clips to Ythe stile, and means for securing the clips to the inner faces of the side walls of the rung 'or step to provide reinforcing means for Vsaid rung or step.

5. In a cham ladder in combination, a rung or step of inverted channelform and stiles'in the form of link chains, and means forlsecuring' each end of the rung or step to itsrespective stile, said means comprising a pair of Vnested U.s`haped metal clips, means for securing. the clips to the stile with a link oi the stile clamped between the base portions of the nested clips, and means for securing the nested lclips to the rung or step with the leg portions disposed with` inthe rung orstep. J 6. `In achain ladderin combination,l a1rung or step of inverted channel form 'and stiles inthe form of link chains, and means for securing each end of the rung or step to its respective stile, lsaid. means comprising a pair of nested U,shapedclips, one of which has aA pair Vof spaced grooves or channels formed inthe base portion thereof. l j

HAROLD P. HQPP.l

EDWARD vKUNZELMAII'; 

